§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchquer (1) how security clearance is obtained for all personnel handling classified information at Oracle facilities abroad; [1076]
(2) if he will specify the arrangements made for the prosecution of offences under section 182 of the Finance Act 1989 by persons working at Oracle facilities abroad; [1078]
(3) if he will publish the undertaking which persons working at Oracle facilities abroad are required to sign in relation to taxpayer information; what are the terms of the oral declaration which persons working at Oracle facilities abroad are required to make and what are the circumstances in which it is required to be given, and the person to whom it is to be given; what are the arrangements made for ensuring compliance with these obligations at Oracle facilities abroad; and if he will specify the actions that would be taken against a person working at an Oracle facility abroad for breach of such obligations, or any other confidentiality obligation imposed by UK law; [1075]
(4) how Oracle ensures that persons at Oracle facilities abroad are made aware of their obligations under section 182 of the Finance Act 1989. [1077]
(5) if he will specify such other arrangements as may be made by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in carrying out their functions of care and management under section 1 of the Taxes and Management Act 1970 in respect of access to copies of batches of taxpayer records at Oracle facilities abroad. [1080]
§ Mr. Jack[holding answers 30 October 1996]: The Inland Revenue's contract with Electronic Data Service Ltd. and EDS's contract with Oracle have both been amended to enable specialist staff at Oracle facilities abroad, in exceptional circumstances, to have access to copies of subsets of taxpayer records in order to carry out either diagnostic and/or remedial work necessary to support the self-assessment computer system. These amendments ensure that such access is permitted only under the very strict security arrangements specified by 227W the Inland Revenue and that Oracle is fully accountable, through EDS, to the Inland Revenue if there are any breaches of confidentiality. All Oracle employees are required to sign an agreement which, among other provisions, commits them to protect any information belonging to the Inland Revenue. If these procedures were to be breached, the agreement provides for a range of sanctions, including summary dismissal. The sanctions and remedies afforded by the criminal or civil laws of the United States and Australia may also flow from any such breaches.